Loader mounted material fracturing device

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a hydraulic loader vehicle having a material fracturing implement substituted for the loader bucket on the linkage of the vehicle. The implement comprises a shank member and a swinging mass supported by the lift linkage, with the mass being swung in hammer-like fashion by the tilt linkage to impart kinetic energy by impacts to the shank and fracturing tool.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,805,897 Cobb et al. Apr. 23, 1974 [5 LOADER MOUNTED MATERIAL 3,633,683 1/1972 sham) 299/37 FRACTURING DEVICE 3,367,716 2/1968 2,435,651 2/1948 [75] Inventors: Delwin E. Cobb, Peo ia; O r 2,474,037 6/1949 Cuthrell 37/2 R Stemler, Metamora, both of III. [73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 111. Examiner-Ernest Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fryer, T ensvold, Phillips & [22] Filed: Aug. 16, 1972 Lempio [21] Appl. No.: 280,963

[57] ABSTRACT 52 Cl H 173/100, 37/1)](} 13, 172/40 There is disclosed a hydraulic loader vehicle having a 299/14 299 37 material fracturing implement substituted for the [51] Int. Cl. A0lb 35/00, EOlc 23/09 loader bucket the linkage of the Vehicle The 58 Field of Search 173/100; 299/14, 36, 37; Plement comprises a Shank member and a Swinging 172/40; 37/1)[(} 18, 1 17 5 2 mass supported by the lift linkage, with the mass being swung in hammer-like fashion by the tilt linkage to im- 5 References Ci d part kinetic energy by impacts to the shank and frac- UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1924 Goldschmidt 172/40 X turing tool.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures LOADER MOUNTEDMATERIAL FRACTURING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 2 ing and lowering and otherwise manipulating the lift arms.

Suitable dump or tilt linkage comprises a dump arm or link 17 pivotally connected at 18 to a dump lever 19, which in turn is pivoted at 20 to lift arm 13. A second dump link 21 is pivotally connected at 22 to lever 19 and at 23 to a second dump lever 24. The dump lever 24 is pivoted at 25 to the support frame 1 l. A dumping or tilting ram or hoist 26 is pivotally connected at 27 to support frame 11 and at 28 to tilt linkage 24.

A suitable hydraulic supply system for actuation or powering of the tilt linkage is disclosed, which comprises a pump 30 for drawing fluid from a sump 31 and supplying it by way of a line 32 to a main control valve 5 33. The main control valve 33 is operative in either one It is accordingly a primary object of the present in-- 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In its simplest aspect, the invention comprises a hammer and a chisel for attachment to a loader vehicle such that the lift arms of the loader hold and manipulate the chisel, and the dump or tilt linkage swings the hammer upward to drop into engagement with the chisel. The apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be quickly attached to the linkage of a loader vehicle when the loader bucket is removed.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, there is disclosed the typical loader vehicle, generally identified by the numeral 10, having its bucket removed and of the general typedisclosed, for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,21 1,310, issued Oct. 12, I965 to R.G. Mclndoo; US. Pat. No. 3,389,820, issued June 25, 1968 to I-I.W. Borer, et a1; and, US. Pat. No. 3,519,155, issued July 7, 1970 to C.R. Jefferson, et al.

The loader vehicle is a tractor or like vehicle having a suitable frame means 11 to which is pivotally mounted at 12 a pair of lift arms 13. A suitable hydraulic jack or ram 14 is pivotally supported at 15 to the support frame 11 and at 16 to the lift arms 13, for raisof three positions to respectively supply fluid to and from either side of motor 26 by way of lines 34 and 35, and to return the fluid by way of conduit 36 to the reservoir when in the neutral position. A suitable quick drop valve 37 and line 38 are operative to short-circuit fluid from one side of the motor to the other, upon lowering or tilting of the linkage to the dump position. For a complete disclosure and understanding of a quick drop valve, reference is made to US. Pat. No. 3,448,685. A pair of relief valves 39 and 40 are operative to protect the hydraulic system from excess pressure.

The fracturing apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongated shank member 41 pivotally attached or supported at 42 from the lift arm 13, and having at its lower end suitably formed or attached in any suitable manner, a fracturing tool 43. The fracturing tool 43 has its point preferably aligned along an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the elongated member or shank 41, and suitably oriented to receive energy by impact along said axis.

A suitable lost motion link 44, which may be, for example, a chain as illustrated, is connected at a suitable point 45 downward from pivot point 42 and is attached in a suitable manner to the vehicle. This link permits free movement of the shank 41 toward the vehicle, but permits application of force from the vehicle to the shank when the chain is in the taut position. An inertial mass 46, which may also be termed a hammer, having an impact face 47 adapted to contact an impact face 48 of tool 43, is suitably mounted by means of a support arm 49, and is pivotally connected at 42 to the lift arm 13. The link 17 is suitably attached at 50 to arm 49 in a spaced relation to define a lever arm so that application of torque thereto by means of the link and actuation system will swing the mass 46 in an arc about the pivot point 42.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a modification of the present invention wherein like elements are designated by like numbers. In this embodiment,- the lost motion link between shank 41 and the vehicle 10 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 51 connected by means of a slot and pin arrangement, 52 and 53 respectively, to the shank 41.

OPERATION manner. The fracturing tool or point 43 is then manipulated by means of the lift arm 13 into a position against a formation of rock 54 or like material to be fractured.

The vehicle is then preferably put into a drive gear so as to move in a direction to maintain the tool 43 into engagement with the formation 54. At the same time, or concurrently therewith, the tilt linkage mechanism is manipulated to swing the mass 46 into a high potential energy position as shown in phantom, and instantaneously released to permit the potential energy thereof to be converted into kinetic energy and delivered by impulse to the tool 43 upon impact of the surfaces 47 and 48. This manipulation of the mass 46 is continued in a cyclic manner as the vehicle is continuously moved in a direction to maintain the tool 43 into engagement with the fractured material. As material is fractured by the tool 43, the tool is driven forward toward the tractor, and link 44 permits this motion without delivering forces to the tractor itself. This cyclic operation is continued until the desired material is fractured.

While the general preferred operation may be to permit the mass 46 to free-fall and deliver its energy to the tool 43, sufficient fluid flow may be developed in the tilt linkage circuit by a faster operation of the vehicle engine to apply a positive downward force to the mass 46, and thereby increase the energy, and consequently the production rate of themachineQ While the present invention-has been described with respect to a specific embodiment, it is apparent'that numerous modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the device need not be made specifically for a loader vehicle, but may be made in the form of a complete system for attachment to a suitable vehicle. In order to do so, one must simply supply suitable support and manipulating arms equivalent to lift arms 13, with suitable hoist motor equivalent to motorl4, and a suitable actuating system like that of the dump system of the loader vehicle. The actuating means may be'any suitable motor attached in a manner to swing the mass or hammer 46 about its pivot point to deliver energy therefrom to the tool 43.

What is claimed is:

l. A rock fracturing apparatus in combination with a loader vehicle having lift arms, tilt arms, and means for manipulating said arms, comprising:

an elongated shank pivotally supported at one end from said lift arms, a fracturing bit carried by the other end of said shank,

an inertial mass operatively supported from said lift arms and operative to deliver inertial energy to said bit upon impact therewith, and

said tilt arms being operatively connected to move said inertial mass to an energy storage position and to release said mass therefrom.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shank is pivotally supported in a substantially vertical postion, and is pivoted at its upper end to said lift arms, and

meanspivotally supporting said inertial mass to said lift arms.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said mass is attached to an arm, and

said arm is pivotally connected to said lift arms.

4. The invention of claim 3 comprising lost motion link means connecting said shank to said vehicle in spaced relation to said lift arm;

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said fracturing bit has an axis disposed at an angle to said shank member, and v i said mass is operative to deliver said energy to said bit substantially along said axis.

6. The invention of claim 5 comprising an impact face formed onveach of said bit and'said mass. 

1. A rock fracturing apparatus in combination with a loader vehicle having lift arms, tilt arms, and means for manipulating said arms, comprising: an elongated shank pivotally supported at one end from said lift arms, a fracturing bit carried by the other end of said shank, an inertial mass operatively supported from said lift arms and operative to deliver inertial energy to said bit upon impact therewith, and said tilt arms being operatively connected to move said inertial mass to an energy storage position and to release said mass therefrom.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shank is pivotally supported in a substantially vertical postion, and is pivoted at its upper end to said lift arms, and means pivotally supporting said inertial mass to said lift arms.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said mass is attached to an arm, and said arm is pivotally connected to said lift arms.
 4. The invention of claim 3 comprising lost motion link means connecting said shank to said vehicle in spaced relation to said lift arm.
 5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said fracturing bit has an axis disposed at an angle to said shank member, and said mass is operative to deliver said energy to said bit substantially along said axis.
 6. The invention of claim 5 comprising an impact face formed on each of said bit and said mass. 